Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud linked to Dortmund as possible Aubameyang replacement

Pre-season has just begun at Borussia Dortmund, but already the start of the season looms in the near distance. BVB face Bayern Munich in the Super Cup on August 5th.

But there are still quite a few uncertainties hanging over Dortmund’s squad. There will be plenty of arrivals and departures before the end of the transfer window. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still being linked to other clubs, but he’s also still looking quite happy to be in Dortmund pre-season training. If he were to leave, who would replace him?

The Mirror claim to have an answer. They are saying that Aubameyang is set to move to Chelsea, and that Dortmund have lined up Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud as a replacement. Here’s the meat of their article:

Borussia Dortmund are ready to make a move for Olivier Giroud after the Arsenal striker admitted he is considering quitting the Emirates, writes John Cross in Sydney.

The France striker fears the arrival of £52million record signing Alexandre Lacazette has put his Gunners future in doubt.

And it is Dortmund who are the surprise team in the frame to sign Giroud as they look for a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is set to join Chelsea. Giroud’s move to Dortmund will depend on Aubameyang leaving.

Everton, West Ham, Marseille and AC Milan are all interested in the 30-year-old who knows he must start regularly this season or risk losing his place in his national squad for next summer’s World Cup.

Olivier Giroud signing for Dortmund isn’t actually as crazy as it may sound. BVB may very well need a replacement for Aubameyang, and the best strikers on the market have already moved elsewhere. Giroud is about to turn 30, but he’s still decent. The Frenchman managed 12 goals in the Premier League, despite only starting 11 games.

But the Aubameyang link to Chelsea is less believable. There is no way that he’s already “set to join Chelsea”. Auba has been in Dortmund training, and this story has come out of the blue a bit. Chelsea were just beaten to the signing of Romelu Lukaku by Manchester United. If they were shooting for Lukaku, why would they then immediately pay huge money for a striker who is a very different player from the Belgian?

The Mirror isn’t a great source anyway, so we’re chalking this all up as a rumor that probably won’t come to fruition.